It’s been over 20 years since Jurassic Park debuted in theaters. You better believe I am excited for Jurassic World. The original sci-fi adventure classic directed by Steven Spielberg still pops into my mind whenever I see the mirror sticker “Objects in rear-view wIndow are closer than they appear.” The preview from Jurassic World had me at the first few notes from the original Jurassic Park sound track.

As a teen who read all the books by Michael Crichton and watched all the movies, I was always dying to know what it would really be like in the parks. PS – you are going to want to head over to the Jurassic World website to check out the park maps and web cams. The details are too much fun for an avid theme parker visitor like me.

To celebrate the debut of Jurassic World this week, I’ve joined forces with some of my favorite Utah bloggers to put together a Jurassic Giveaway of epic proportions. Dinosaurs are no strangers to Utah after all!

Did you know that Utah is a Dinosaur Fossil gold mine?! I mean, Utah, it’s a big deal. Check out the details of a few of our prizes!

So big in fact, that the Utahraptor was found right here in Moab, Utah. That’s right people, we have our own dinosaur. It’s also a cousin of the Velociraptor in Jurassic Park. Utah has a lot of dinosaur history, so we’ve compiled a list of our favorite Dinosaur Museums. You’ll definetly want to add these museums to your summer bucket list.

Natural History Museum of Utah | Salt Lake City

The Natural History Museum of Utah has the world’s largest and only display of 14 ceratopsian (horned) dinosaur skulls. The Museum collection is super unique because nearly all the specimens are from Utah and at least 15 of them are new to science since 2000!

They also have the Lythronax (similar to tyrannasaurus) that was found in Southern Utah and can only be found on display here in Utah! This was one of my daughter’s favorite field trips in first grade.

Museum of Ancient Life | Thanksgiving Point | Lehi

The Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point has 60 complete dinosaur skeletons and is one of the largest dinosaur museums in the world. You’ve probably driven by it and seen the giant tyrannasaurus rex on the building. My children and I can spend hours in this museum – I kid you not. With over 50 hands-on exhibits including a dinosaur dig site and erosion water tables, it’s one of our favorite ways to spend summer days.

Ogden Eccles Dinosaur Park | Ogden

Tucked in the mouth of Weber Canyon, you’ll find dinosaurs hidden throughout the brush by the Weber River. Watch paleontologist clean off fossils or dig for some gems in the cave. The Jurassic-World-like playground will have your kids playing for hours!

St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site | St. George

This museum just opened up in 2000 and is family-friendly. It’s built over dinosaur footprints that you can see through the floor. Best part? The footprints were found right here in Utah. It’s a small museum, but it is jam packed with fossils! Be sure to schedule a tour, our guide was fantastic. He entertained the little ones, but included tons of fascinating facts for my husband and I.

National Geographic just did a story on all the new species that are coming out of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument in Southern Utah and all the pieces are sent to the Utah Museum of Natural History. Pretty cool right?

So cool in fact, that we’ve got a giant giveaway!

***GIVEAWAY***

We will have five winners! Thanks to our amazing sponsors! This giveaway has a little bit of something for every age. Baby, littles, teens and adults will all love this giveaway.

Natural History Museum of Utah : Tickets

Thanksgiving Point : Tickets

Megaplex Theatres : Movie Passes & Large Popcorn

The Salt Project : 2 Adventure Packs

LeggyBlondeShop : Dinosaur Planter

LovelyLettersDesign : Dinosaur Party Invites and Thank You Cards

SnuggleMeDesigns : Dinosaur Hooded Towel

Cloud9Craftss : Jurassic Park Movie Poster

LittleSaplingToys : Dino Teethers

The Potter’s-Place : Potter Pack

Here’s how the bounty will be divided.  We will have 5 winners.

The Grand Prize Winner

5 Tickets to the Natural History Museum of Utah

5 Tickets to Thanksgiving Point’s Museum of Ancient Life

2 Movie Passes & Large Popcorn from Megaplex Theatres

2 Salt Project Adventure Packs

First Choice to 2 other prizes

1 Dino Teether

1 Potter Pack

Second Place

5 Tickets to the Natural History Museum of Utah

5 Tickets to Thanksgiving Point’s Museum of Ancient Life

2 Movie Passes & Large Popcorn from Megaplex Theatres

Second Choice to 1 other prize

1 Dino Teether

Third Place

4 Tickets to the Natural History Museum of Utah

2 Movie Passes & Large Popcorn from Megaplex Theatres

Third Choice of 1 other prize

1 Dino Teether

Fourth Place

4 Tickets to the Natural History Museum of Utah

2 Movie Passes & Large Popcorn from Megaplex Theatres

Fourth Choice of 1 other prize

1 Dino Teether

Fifth Place

2 Tickets to the Natural History Museum of Utah

2 Movie Passes & Large Popcorn from Megaplex Theatres

Fifth Choice of 1 other prize

1 Dino Teether

The post Jurassic World Giveaway + Four Dinosaur Museums to Check Out in Utah appeared first on KeepMovingForwardWithMe.

Summer time means movies at the Parker house! My husband’s family grew up going to movies at their grandparent’s theater every summer. Both of my parents as well as three of my siblings work in the theater business so we have been spoiled with plenty of movies the past few years.

I started off my 2013 summer movies with Ephraim’s Rescue. The dramatic story of healing and the rescue of the Martin Handcart company was familiar to me. I enjoyed learning more about the life of Ephraim Hanks. Katherine Nelson, an artist I began listening to last year, performed her role as Alice Dobson beautifully. My favorite part of the movie was the musical score by Paul Cardall – I will definitely be purchasing the CD. The movie was filmed in Utah and has some breath-taking scenery. Here’s a little sneak peak:

Ephraim’s Rescue was an inspiring start to my 2013 summer movie line up. I am looking forward to catching Monster University, Despicable Me 2, and Planes with my kiddos over the next few months! Stay tuned for a fun Monster University party that I will be posting about soon. Other movies on my must-see list are the next Hunger Games and Percy Jackson movies -can’t wait!

Until then, check out these fun movies that have been filmed in Utah! From Monument Valley to the salt flats to the mountains, we live in such a great state!

What is your favorite movie that has been filmed in Utah?

What movie are you most excited to see this summer?

The post Summer 2013 Movies appeared first on KeepMovingForwardWithMe.